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Away with these self-loving lads

Introduction

Away with these self-loving lads strikes nearer the bone of Elizabeth’s self-imposed chastity. This song has an exuberant accompaniment that shadows the text with chords rather than counterpoint—a ‘continuo’ style of lute-playing unlike the contrapuntal one which Dowland preferred for other songs, and of course for his fantasias.

Recordings

Mark Padmore is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest tenors working today. He is admired—among other things—for his ‘extraordinary diction and whispering chamber-like intimacy … [his] joy in conveying the emotional core of each situation’ (Gra ...» More

Details

Away with these self-loving lads, Whom Cupid’s arrow never glads! Away, poor souls, that sigh and weep In love of them that lie and sleep! For Cupid is a meadow god And forceth none to kiss the rod.

God Cupid’s shaft, like destiny, Doth either good or ill decree. Desert is born out of his bow, Reward upon his foot doth go. What fools are they that have not known That Love likes no laws but his own!

My songs they be of Cynthia’s praise; I wear her rings on holidays, On every tree I write her name, And every day I read the same. Where Honour Cupid’s rival is There miracles are seen of his.

If Cynthia crave her ring of me, I blot her name out of the tree. If doubt do darken things held dear, Then well fare nothing once a year! For many run, but one must win; Fools, only, hedge the cuckoo in.

The worth that worthiness should move Is love, which is the bow of Love. And love as well the foster can As can the mighty nobleman. Sweet saint, ’tis true you worthy be, Yet without love naught worth to me.